Entering the 2019 NFL season, very few Green Bay Packers fans knew much about wide receiver Allen Lazard. He was an unknown name who many though was fighting for a roster spot. And those fans were right, as the Packers released Lazard prior to the start of the regular season, but ended up re-signing him to their practice squad.
No one would have guessed that by the end of the season, Lazard would have earned himself the No. 2 spot on the depth chart behind Davante Adams. But that is exactly what happened.
In just one season, Lazard went from a nobody to one of the most integral pieces of the Packers' offense. Looking ahead to the upcoming 2020 NFL season, Lazard is once again expected to be a huge part of the Green Bay offense.
During the 2019 season with the Packers, Lazard caught 35 passes for 477 yards and three touchdowns. The numbers may not look great, but he came on strong late in the season. In particular, Lazard had a huge eight-reception, 69-yard, one touchdown performance against the Detroit Lions in Week 17.
Heading into the offseason, most fans in Green Bay thought the Packers would prioritize adding wide receivers who could come in and make an impact right away. While not to diminish the role that Devin Funchess could play, he was the only receiver the Packers brought in of note. Reggie Begelton was also an addition, but he is a relatively unknown talent as well.
At this point, Lazard is still projected by most to be No. 2 on the wide receiver depth chart. He is just 24 years old and there are quite a few reasons to be excited about his potential in 2020.
First, Aaron Rodgers has been very vocal about liking what he has seen from Lazard. In a fairly recent press conference, Rodgers spoke out about Lazard and had nothing but good things to say about his wide receiver.
“By the end of the season, he was called upon many, many times in important situations to make big plays and he did … He’s just a great teammate, and ascending player, loved his approach every week and he made some big-time plays for us.”
Getting that kind of praise from Rodgers is never an easy task. It shows just how important Lazard is going to be for the team in 2020.
So, why should the Packers and the NFL as a whole be expecting Lazard to have a breakout season in 2020?
Quite simply, Lazard is now preparing for a role as a No. 2 wideout on an NFL roster. He got a taste of being a huge part of a very talented offense and now knows how to prepare for a full season in that role. Lazard is a hard worker and he wants to be great, which will drive him to take a big step forward this season.
The fact that general manager Brian Gutekunst didn't go out and sign a big name in free agency or bring in a receiver in the first two rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft speaks volumes. He is banking on the young wide receivers on the roster to take the next step. All of that will start with Lazard.
Standing in at 6-foot-5 and nearly 235 pounds, Lazard is a big body and has great speed and athleticism to go with it. He is difficult to cover for any opposing defensive back. Green Bay will be looking to create mismatches with him in 2020.
With the experience of the 2019 season and great chemistry with Rodgers, the sky is the limit for Lazard this season. Green Bay will be relying on him to take a step forward behind Adams and give Rodgers a guy who can put up 50 receptions for 700 yards and a handful of touchdowns. Funchess may steal some of that role, but the No. 2 job is Lazard's to lose.
Green Bay should be ecstatic to see what Lazard looks like in 2020. He has worked hard to be in this position and that hard work and improvement won't stop now.
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